Download it takes more than courage to beat cancer

IT TAKES MORE THAN COURAGE TO BEAT CANCER
®
Why we need your support:

Dana-Farber is equally committed to researching

Cancer is complicated. While we have achieved
cancer’s causes, as well as treatments and caring
remarkable successes in treating many forms of
for patients. Supporting 50/50 research and care is
the disease, we lack effective treatments for other
very expensive, and we have set high standards for
subtypes. Drug resistance is a vexing problem, some
achievements in both, but we believe the model is
therapies show terrific initial response only to lose
critical for making the most progress against these
effectiveness as the cancer mutates. The pace of
diseases in the shortest time possible.
discovery is slow because cancer is complex and our
work is meticulous. Your support is crucial to turn

promising research into effective treatments.
Dana-Farber has consistently ranked among the
top recipients of grant funding from the National
Institutes of Health. In 2012, the Institute received

There are more than 700 clinical trials currently
more than $151 million, even as national success rates
underway at the Institute and not all are funded
for grant applicants dropped to approximately 13
by the government. They are expensive and time
percent. Further cuts in federal spending that began
consuming but are absolutely necessary to bring
in 2013, known as sequestration, meant the Institute
promising drugs to market. Only a handful of new
experienced a decrease in receiving research
cancer therapeutics are brought to market each
awards. Overall, virtually all of Dana-Farber’s federal
year, making our clinical trial work that much more
research awards have been reduced from previously
essential. Your support is vital for a robust clinical
committed levels of funding by as much as 10
trials program.
percent in many cases. Philanthropy fills the funding
gap, allowing our research to continue even as
government support declines.

Dana-Farber must remain competitive in the
marketplace to recruit and retain world-class
faculty. The Institute stays current with hiring and

Private support is essential for conducting innovative
compensation trends and must offer competitive
basic research, which is not eligible for federal
retention packages so faculty stay and thrive here.
funding until well along in successful testing.
Philanthropy provides seed funding to test our
hypotheses and bring promising studies far enough
along to attract federal support.
IT TAKES MORE THAN COURAGE TO BEAT CANCER ®
Why we need your support, continued:
   Dana-Farber’s hallmark total patient care philosophy
   The Institute’s overall endowment is modest. Dana-
is reflected in the comprehensive services we
Farber is a relatively young organization, and has
provide to meet the social, emotional, and spiritual
not had enough time to build an endowment to
needs of our patients and their families. The
the level where it provides a cushion in uncertain
Institute’s patient and family resource centers offer
economic times. The endowment assets we do
incredible access to health information, support
have are managed conservatively to provide future
groups, art and music therapies. The school liaison
security, but our focus has always been on raising
program helps children transition back into their
flexible funds that can be put to immediate use.
classroom after undergoing treatment. Your support
funds many of these important services not covered
by insurance.
   Dana-Farber lacks the general hospital revenues
and more profitable services that help offset the
tremendous costs of treating cancer patients at
   Dana-Farber initiatives like the Blum Family
other organizations. We also provide a level of
Resource Center Van, Mammography Van—the only
service and support to our patients, as reflected
mobile mammography program in Massachusetts—
in our patient satisfaction survey, almost unlike
and cancer treatment clinic at the Whittier Street
any other center. This is possible because of
Health Center in Roxbury, MA, raise awareness
philanthropy. Furthermore, we conduct innovative
about cancer and prevention, and improve
clinical trials based on laboratory findings which
access to Dana-Farber’s expert care for medically
accelerate the pace of discovery and greatly
underserved populations. Your generosity helps
increase our knowledge about cancer; these are
bring cancer education, screening, and treatment
often made possible only by the funds you raise.
to Boston’s neighborhoods and surrounding
communities.
   As a non-profit, Dana-Farber uses all surplus
revenues to fund research, patient care, and
   With newer, more effective treatments, more cancer
patients are surviving longer than ever before, and
operations to achieve its mission and stay
competitive in the marketplace.
many are even considered cured. Yet the effects
of treatment can have long-term physical and
psychological implications. Dana-Farber provides
ongoing care to cancer patients because we
Learn more at JimmyFund.org
believe everyone who survives cancer deserves
Contact: 1-800-52-Jimmy(54669)
the chance to lead a fulfilling, productive life. Your
support is integral to the Institute’s renowned
survivorship programs.